Station-indicator



(No Model.)

V. L. GU-NNYNGHAM.

STATION INDICATOR. No. 404,384. I Patented June 4, 1889.

WITNESSES: a INVENTOR: IS. mm flf W-O ATTORNEYS.

UNITED STATES PATENT UFFICE.

VICTOR L. OUNNYNGl-IAM, or PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

STATION-INDICATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 404,384, dated June 4, 1889.

I Application filed January 14,1888. $erial No. 260,678- (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, VICTOR L. CUNNYNG- HAM, of Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and Improved Station-Indicator, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the annexed drawing, forming a part thereof, in which a longitudinal section of my improved station-indicator is shown.

The object of my invention is to construct a simple and efficient station-indicator to be operated by electricity or mechanical devices, so that a series of indicators may be placed on the different cars of a train and operated simultaneously by the conductor or engineer.

My objectis further to provide a simplified form of apparatus for application to streetcars, stages, and other single vehicles.

My invention consists in a casing provided with a compartment for cards having printed on their faces the names of stations, the cards being arranged to be moved forward by an endless belt, an escapement for allowing the cards to drop into sight and afterward to drop into a receptacle in which they are stored for use, and devices for operating the endless belt, escapement, and the storing mechanism, all as hereinafter more fully described.

The casing A is divided into four compartments P B G D, the compartment D communicating with the compartment B by means of the opening 25. The partition which separates the compartment B from O is slotted longitudinally to receive the endless belt F ,which passes over rollers c c, journaled in the casing A. The endless belt F is provided with a series of apertures d for receiving a stud e, projecting from the bracket G and the teeth of the roller 0 so that when the roller 0 is revolved by the means hereinafter described the belt will be moved forward the thickness of one card N. The bracket G is formed of the base-piece f, the upright g, and brace h. The cards N are retained in the compartment B by springs 1 2, attached to the upper and lower walls of the compartment, the springs beingbent inwardly toward each other, so as to engage the upper and lower edges of the cards and prevent them from being transferred to the lower compartment D, except when forced forward by the movement of the belt F. In the lower compartment D is arranged a follower J, provided with the springs 41 "0 which bear upon the bottom of the compartment and upon the partition between the said compartment and compartment C. The cards N in the lower compartment areengaged by the'rods a the forward ends of which are provided with inwardlyprojecting catches d, and the cards dropped into the lower compartment D are held against the thrusts of the rods a by a block 10 To the bottom of the casing A, in the rear'part thereof, is pivoted a lever L, which is pivotally connected with the rods a and upon the end of the shaft of the roller 0 is placed a ratchet-wheel 15 which is engaged by a pawl Z, pivoted to the lever m, pivotally connected to the rod o The pawl Z is kept in engagement with the wheel k by the spring 02/, attached to the lever m and bearing upon the end of the said pawl.

In the compartment B of the casing A is journaled a shaft E, provided with a pinion o, and carrying a plate 19, upon one side of which are printed the words Next station is, and upon the other side the words This station is. A red M is pivoted to the upper end of the lever L and provided at its forward end with a rack g, which engages the pinion o. The lever L is pressed forward by a spring 0'.

In the rear wall of the casing A is inserted a cylinder P, provided with a piston r, having a piston-rod s passing through the forward end of the cylinder and pivotally connected with the lever L. A flexible pipe 25 communicates with the forward end of the cylinder P, and in the rear wall of thecylinder P is formed an aperture to to permit of the escape of air as the piston is forced backward, in the manner presently to be described.- The cylinder P is used when it is desired to operate the mechanism by means of compressed air or steam; but when it is desired to operate it by means of a cord or strap the cylinder P may be dispensed with, and a cord or strap 1: is attached to the lever L, as indicated by dotted lines.

The operation is as follows: hen the lever l is forced backward by the action of the steam or air on the piston r, or by pulling the cord 1:, the cards I in the con'ipartn'ient I) are drawn backward, the pawl Z is moved back, so as to engage another teeth of the ratchet wheel It, and the plate 1') is turned so as to display the words This station is, and the name of the station is displayed on the card below it in the compartment 13'. Upon releasin g the lever L, either by allowing the airor steam to escape from the cylinder P or by releasing the cord if, the spring 0 returns the lever L to its normal position, and the lever in returning to its normal position draws back the cards N in the compartment I), and at the same time turns the lever on, so as to cause the pawl. Z to move forward the ratchetwheel in one notch, thereby turning the belt I so as to move forward the cards N in the (-onmartment l3 and discharge one card through the opening 15 into the compartment I); at the same time it returns the plate 1) to its normal position, thus displaying the words the Next station is, the name of the next station being shown upon the face of the first card in the series contained by the compartment B.

l'lavin thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. In a stzition-indieator, the combination, with a casing provided with a compartment for containing cards bearing the names of the streets or stations and having an apertn re in one end of its bottom, of an endless carrier working in the bottom of the compartment for moving the cards over the aperture therein, and means for operat ng the endless carrier, substantially as described.

2. In a stationindicator, the combination, with a casing provided with compartments communicating with each other, of a series of cards bearing the names of the streets or stations and arranged in the upper compartment, an endless belt, a projection or bracket carried by the belt and engaging the cards, and means, substantially as descrilmd, for imparting motion to the endless belt, substantially as herein shown and described.

2: In a station-indicator, the combination, with a casing provided with COlllPtll'l'lllGllliS communicating with each, other, of a series of cards bearing the names of the streets or stations and arranged in the upper compartment, an endless belt provided with a bracket engaging the cards, a ratchet-wheel on the shafts of one of the rollers of the endless belt, a spring-actuated pawl engaging the ratchetwheel, a pivoted lever, a connection between said lever and pawl, and meanst'or opcratin the lever, substantially as herein. shown and described.

-l-. In a station-indicator, the combination of aeasin g provided with compartments communicating with each other, an endless belt working in the bottom of the upper com partment and provided with a bracket, a ratchetwheel on the shaft of one of the rollers ot' the endless belt, apawl engaging the ratchetwheel, a pivoted lever, a connection between the said lever and pawl, and an air or steam cylinder having its piston-rod connected to the said lever, substantially as specified.

5. In a station-imlicator, the combination, with a casing provided with a compartment for containing cards bearing the names of streets or stations and having an aperture in one end of its bottom, a carrier for moving the cards over the aperture in the bottom of the said compartment, and means for operating the carrier, of a rotating plate arranged above the compartment and operated from the card-moving mechanism, substantially as herein shown and described.

(3. In a station-indicator, the combination, with a casing provided with compartments connnunicating with each other, of an endless belt for transferring the cards carrying the names of the streets or stations from one compartment to the other, card-lmlding armsin the compartment into which the cards drop after being displayed, and means for operate ing the said belt and arms, substantially as herein shown and described.

7. In a statioil-indicator, the combination, with a casing divided into compartments communicatingwith each other, of an emlless belt for trai'isterring the cards carrying the names of the streets or stations from one com partment to the other, a ratchet-wheel on one of the rollers of the endless belt, a lever pivoted in the casing, card-holding arms connected to the lever, a secondlever pivoted in the casing and to the first-named lover, a spring-pawl carried by the second lever and engaging the ratchet-wheel, and means for operating the first-named lever, substantially asherein shown and described.

8. In a station-indicator, the combination, with a casing divided into compartments communicating with each other and an endless belt for translm-ring the cards carrying the names of the streets or stations from one compartment to the other, of a lever pivoted in the casing, card-holding arms in the lower compartment and connected to said lever, a follower in the said lower compartment, a second lever pivoted in the casing and conneeted. to the first-named lever, a springpressed pawl on the upper end of the second lover, a ratchet-wheel on one of the rollers ot' the endless belt, a shaft in the top compartment provided with a plate and a pinion, and a rack engaging the pinion. and connected with the first-named lever, substantially as herein shown and described.

VICTOR I1. CUNNYNGIIAM.

\Vi tnesses:

A. \V. \Vooos, SAM R. CUNNINGHAM.

TZIO 

